TCOT Long Range Repercussions Chapter 7
Max Stein's brother-in-law Marv Kramer finished examining Della and covered her with a light blanket as she lay on a bed in a curtained area in the emergency room at Cedar Sinai Medical Center. At present Della's eyes were closed and although she wasn't sleeping, she was drifting lazily in and out due to the light sedative that Marv had administered. Marv picked up the chart that the head nurse Jackie had given him, checking it over once more before speaking to Perry.
"Della might be the patient Perry, but you're the one who looks sick. You look like hell."
"I always said you are the best diagnostician around, Dr. Kramer. But I don't care what I look like, the only verdict I want is the one about Della. What's wrong with her? Is she going to be all right? Does she have to stay here? What can I do for her?"
"Hold on there a minute Counselor." Marv held up his hand. "I can only answer one question at a time. First, Della will be fine, although this was the worst case of food poisoning I've seen in a long time."
"Food poisoning! What the hell…how'd she get that?"
"You tell me, you're with her more than I am. Her symptoms presented like appendicitis – vomiting preceded by a sharp pain in the lower right abdomen, and an elevation in her temperature. She was nearly incoherent, pale and sweaty, and barely conscious. I ran blood tests and that was the definitive answer. I know it was tough on you, but I'm glad she threw up as much as she did because I would have had to pump her stomach. Perry, do you know what she ate in the last twenty four hours?"
"Yes, I do. We've shared every meal since last Thursday evening. She had normal food, you know, bacon and eggs or pancakes for breakfast, salads and sandwiches for lunch and steak or seafood or chicken with pasta for dinner."
"And she was all right? No sign of any stomach pains or cramps, no fever or chills?"
"Nothing, not one little symptom. Not even a burp. She was perfectly fine…perfect and beautiful as always. We had a wonderful weekend, albeit a bit emotional because of something going on with some friends, but for the most part she was fine." Perry passed his hand over his face wearily. "She had lunch with one of those friends today. Whatever made her sick she had to eat at lunch."
"Perry, excuse me for prying but if those friends you're talking about are Paul and Nina Drake, I know a little bit about their troubles. I don't think Doctor-patient confidentially or lawyer-client privilege will suffer if I tell you that Nina came to see me for a checkup about two weeks ago and she was very upset. She was on edge, and not sleeping but she didn't want me to prescribe anything for her because of the baby. She said she had to be on her toes with him. So I listened and advised her to talk to a family counselor – both she and Paul – and she said she would think about it. While I understand she must be upset, it's highly unlikely the situation with the Drakes has much to do with the lovely Miss Street's condition. I'd like her to rest here for a few more hours. I want her to be a little more cognizant and for the fever to dissipate before releasing her. I'm also going to repeat those blood tests. If everything comes back the way I think it will then you can take her home. Make sure she rests for the next three or four days…say until Friday. She doesn't necessarily have to stay in bed but she's definitely to stay at home. If it's not too hot, she can sit outside on the terrace. Make sure she stays hydrated and no food until tomorrow morning. Then start out with lukewarm weak tea, ginger ale, and clear broth. If she can tolerate those, then you can gradually add clear jello and possibly dry toast. Don't start more solid foods unless she does well with the toast. She's lost sodium and potassium, so we have to build those levels up as well as balance her sugar. Make sure everything she eats isn't too hot or too cold – no ice and certainly no coffee. The nurse will write all of this down and give you a list of foods that will help replenish the nutrients she'll need. As I said it was a pretty bad case that's why I want her to get plenty of rest and to take it easy with the food. Food poisoning usually lasts twenty-four to forty-eight hours so I suspect she'll be back to herself by Thursday, Friday at the very latest. If she isn't, or seems to be getting worse, then call me right away. And Perry, I would try and find out where she ate today and have that place checked out. Does that answer all your questions?"
"Yes it does. As always you are very thorough with your examinations and your information. Thanks Marv, really. We appreciate it and I am so glad you were able to be here."
"Despite the circumstances, it was my pleasure my friend. You know I have a soft spot for Della. Now if you'll excuse me, I will see about those blood tests and I have a couple of other patients I have to check on. I'll be back a little later. Della should be coming around in a while. I didn't give her a strong sedative, only what I thought she needed to ride out the pain. It also made it easier to examine her."
Marv left the cubicle and Perry, still holding Della's hand, had his thoughts interrupted when he heard her call his name.
Mmmm…Per…Perry…" Her voice was groggy and she was trying desperately to open her eyes.
Mason leaned down and brushed her lips with his own in a soft kiss. He pushed away the curls that had fallen over her face and whispered in her ear.
"Shhhh…shhhhh…I'm right here baby. You're going to be fine. You're at Cedars and Marv is here taking care of you. I'm right here…I'm not leaving, just like I promised. You just rest and in a little while I can take you home."
Della sighed and Perry thought she had fallen back to sleep but moments later she finally was able to open her eyes even though they were still heavily lidded.
She looked at Perry with glassy eyes and a crooked smile. "Hiiiiiiii Counsssssssellllllor!"
"Hi baby. Welcome back." Perry bit the inside of his cheeks to keep from laughing. Despite the fact that Della had just gone through hell and back, she sounded and looked like she was inebriated. He knew it was from the sedative but it was funny all the same.
"How ya feeling kid?" His voice was concerned and loving.
"I feeeelllll fiiiiine. Perrrrfectttly fiiiinnnne. Perrrry…?"
"What honey?"
"I waaaanttt too go hooommme."
"We will baby, we will. We just have to be here a little longer."
"The liiiighhhttts…"
"What about them?"
"'Arrreeeennn't theeeyyy beeeeaauuuutttiiifuuuul…and the carousel, it keeeeppps goiiiing arooouund and arooound. Ooooohhhh Perrry…I'm faallllinng, caaan youuu catchhh meeee pleeezzze?"
"Della, you're not falling honey. It just feels that way. But I'll sit here on the edge of the bed and hold you as best I can." The lawyer got up out of the chair that had been placed next to Della's bed and carefully sat on the edge, putting his arm around her. She was quiet for a time and he thought she had finally gone back to sleep. He looked at her, thankful she would be all right and smiled as he brushed the hair away from her face. Leaving a soft kiss on her lips, he leaned his body against the side rail and closed his eyes thinking he would rest a bit when he heard Della again.
"The liiiiiiiggghhhhtttss…..soooo beeaaauuutttiiifuuul."
"Yes honey, they're very beautiful but not as beautiful as you."
"You're soooo beauuuutifful toooooo."
Perry laughed. "And you are higher than a kite from that medicine so how about if you close those beautiful eyes and this time try and sleep a little. I bet when you wake up again, you'll be ready for me to take you home."
"Hoooommme…ouuurr bed…niiiiccccce…don't let go. Promiiiiise not let meeee go." Della was beginning to sound more coherent.
"Not a chance darling, not a chance."
"Hooome soooon."
"Yes baby, we'll be home soon and I will hold you close. I won't let you go." Perry brought Della's hand up to his lips and kissed the inside of her wrist. By the time he had finished kissing her fingers, she was asleep.
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The clock on the nightstand read two a.m. and Della was asleep under her favorite Summer cover in her favorite position—wrapped up in Perry's embrace, her head on his bare chest. One arm was around his waist, the other around his neck. Suddenly, her eyes flew open and she turned and sat bolt upright in the bed. She threw off the cover and ran her hands over the sheet. Her movements woke Perry who thought perhaps she'd had a bad dream. Sitting up himself, he put his arm around her, trying to calm her down a bit but it was to no avail. Della broke from his hold and continued to search for whatever it was she was looking for. Finally she sighed hugely, brought her knees up to her chest and lowered her face to them. Sobs racked her body as Perry sat there confused. He was at a complete loss as to how to help her. He stroked her head and rubbed her back, thinking that might bring her some comfort.
"What's wrong baby, what do you need?"
"I…I c…can't fin…find it."
"Find what Della, what are you looking for?"
"I can't tell you."
"Yes you can, you can tell me anything, you know that."
"I can't tell you this."
"Why not sweetheart?"
"Be…because you'll be upset with me."
Perry's voice was soft and he took Della into his arms, cradling her to him.
"Why don't you let me be the judge of that?"
Della raised her head then slowly pulled her hand out from under her. "Look"
"All right I'm looking, but all I see is a beautiful hand."
"That's all you see?"
"Della, love of my life, it is after two in the morning. We had a horrible day yesterday and you scared the daylights out of me. I thought for sure that after everything you went through you would have slept through the night. But since you are awake and it appears sleep will elude us unless you let me in on this mystery question of yours can you please tell me what you are talking about?"
"My ring…I can't find my ring. It was on my finger yesterday but the last time I remember seeing it was at the restaurant. I can't remember anything after that except being sick." Della's face paled and she looked at Perry with frightened eyes. "Perry, you don't think that I lost it in the restaurant and someone found it and is keeping it or…"
Perry put his fingers to Della's lips to quiet her. He wanted to laugh but she was so upset he didn't think it was a good idea
"Shhh…..Della, listen to me. You didn't lose your ring baby, I have it. Jackie, the emergency room nurse, suggested that I take it off your finger when I brought you in because she wasn't sure what was wrong with you or what type of treatment you would need. She gave me some tissues and an envelope and I wrapped it up in the tissues and put it in the envelope and put it in my pocket. I tried to tell you but you were so out of it, I don't think you understood what I was saying. I was going to put it back on your finger when we got home but you were drugged and groggy and it was all I could do to get you to drink something then get you to bed. Besides, I felt that you should be awake when I put it back on your finger." Perry reached over and opened the drawer. He pulled out an envelope, opened it and let the ring fall into the palm of his hand.
"May I have your hand Miss Street?"
Della started to put her hand out so that Perry could put the ring back on but stopped. She looked down at the ring then back up at Perry. Her voice was so soft he could hardly hear her.
"Before you put that back on my finger I have something to tell you."